In addition to providing for customers' present needs, the chemical industry is constantly developing new and improved products and processes, creating and serving completely new markets. This enables other industries to be more efficient and productive by using more effective substitute materials and products. Chemicals serve as input into basically all sectors of the economy and consequently depend on their economic performance. In the period 1996-2006, the chemical industry had an average growth rate of 1.7% whereas total industry and GDP grew by 2.1% and 2.4% respectively on average per year.